Inaura School Policy
RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTION
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INDEX
Context
Introduction
Definition of "Restrictive Physical Intervention"
When the Use of Restrictive Physical Interventions may be Appropriate
Who May Use Restrictive Physical Intervention
Planning for the Use of Restrictive Physical Interventions
Acceptable Forms of Intervention
Developing a Positive Handling Plan
Guidance and Training for Staff
Complaints
Positive Handling Plan (Form) - Identification and Assessment of Risk.
INDEX
Page
CONTEXT
1
1.
INTRODUCTION
1
2.
DEFINITION OF “RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTION”
2
3.
WHEN THE USE OF RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTIONS MAY BE
APPROPRIATE
2
WHO MAY USE RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTION
3
PLANNING FOR THE USE OF RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTIONS
4.
3
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF INTERVENTION
5.
4
DEVELOPING A POSITIVE HANDLING PLAN
6.
5
GUIDANCE AND TRAINING FOR STAFF
7.
5
COMPLAINTS
POSITIVE HANDLING PLAN (form) - Identification and Assessment of Risk
7-11
Inaura
De Escalation and Positive Handling
CONTEXT
The Policy is placed within the Behaviour Policy, it will be part of a graded response, and has been
agreed in consultation with staff, Trustees, and parents/carers. It also connects to, and is
consistent with, policies on Health and Safety, Child Protection and Safeguarding, Equal
Opportunities.
Statement
In Inaura we use relational skills and non- coercive strategies, this in includes de-escalation.
Any physical intervention use is very rare an only used when there is absolutely no other
alternative to keep the child safe
Introduciton
In the Inaura setting we believe that children need to be safe, know how to behave, whilst
understanding their limits of comprehension, and know that the adults around them are
able to keep them safe at all times. For a very small minority of children only will the use of
physical intervention be needed, and, on such occasions, and very rarely are acceptable
forms of intervention are used.
The majority of children behave well when we understand and working with them
consistently and kindly, whilst meeting their needs. We have responsibility to operate an
effective behaviour policy.
All the staff need to feel able to understand and manage challenging behaviour, and to have
an understanding of what challenging behaviours might be communicating. They need to
know what the options open to them are, and they need to be free of undue worries about
the risks of legal action against them if they use appropriate physical intervention.
Parents/carers and social care, need to know that their children are safe with us, and they
need to be properly informed if their child is the subject of a Restrictive Physical
Intervention, including the nature of the intervention, and the rationale for its use.
2.
DEFINITION OF “RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTION”
The Law allows for members of staff authorised by the Supervisor/ Manager to use
Restrictive Physical Intervention to prevent a child from doing or continuing to do any of the
following :
injuring themselves or others
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causing an unacceptable amount of damage to property, thereby injuring themselves
or others
“Restrictive Physical Intervention” is the term used by the Department of Education to
include interventions where bodily contact using force is used. It refers to any instance in
which a member of staff authorised by the Head of School has to, in specific circumstances,
use “reasonable force” to control or restrain a child. There is no legal definition of
“reasonable force”. However, there are two relevant considerations:
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3.
the use of force can be regarded as reasonable only if the circumstances of an incident
warrant it;
the degree of force must be in proportion to the circumstances of the incident and the
seriousness of the behaviour or consequences it is intended to prevent.
WHEN THE USE OF RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTIONS MAY BE APPROPRIATE In Inaura
School
Restrictive Physical Interventions will be used when all other strategies have failed, and
therefore only as a last resort. However there are other situations when physical handling
may be necessary, for example in a situation of clear danger or extreme urgency. Certain
children may become distressed, agitated, and out of control, and need calming with a brief
Restrictive Physical Intervention that is un-resisted after a few seconds.
The safety and well-being of all staff and children are important considerations. Under
certain conditions this duty must be an over-riding factor.
WHO MAY USE RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTION IN
Inaura
The following staff are authorised by the Supervisor/Manager to have control of children,
and must be aware of this Policy and its implications.
We take the view that staff should not be expected to put themselves in danger, and that
removing children and themselves is the right thing to do. We value staff efforts to rectify
what can be very difficult situations and in which they exercise their duty of care for the
children.
Names of Authorised staff
2010 Summer term to 2011 Summer term
ADAM ABDELNOOR
AMANDA HANNAH
KEALIE FRANKLIN
CONNIE LANE
REG WILKES
JAMES PYE
LESLEY KENNEDY
CAROLYN SUTTON
CATHY METCALF
STEPHANIE COLES
2011 OCTOBER – 2012 OCTOBER
ADAM ABDELNOOR
AMANDA HANNAH
CAROL HOUSE
CAROLYN SUTTON
CATHY METCALF
CLARE DEAN
CONNIE LANE
GRANT LEWIS
JAMES PYE
KEALIE FRANKLIN
LEE WEST
LESLEY KENNEDY
LUCY POTTS
MAGGIE REILLY
MANDY VEARNCOMBE
OLIVER KINNEIR
REG WILKES
SHELLEY EVETT
STEPHANIE COLES
4.
PLANNING FOR THE USE OF RESTRICTIVE PHYSICAL INTERVENTIONS
Staff will use the minimum force needed to restore safety
The principles relating to the intervention are as follows :-
5.
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Restrictive Physical Intervention is an act of care and control, not punishment. It is
never used to force compliance with staff instructions
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staff will only use it when there are good grounds for believing that immediate action
is necessary and in the child’s and/or other children’s best interests
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staff will take steps in advance to avoid the need for Restrictive Physical Intervention
through dialogue and diversion, and the child will be warned, at their level of
understanding, that Restrictive Physical Intervention will be used unless they cease the
unacceptable behaviour
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only the minimum force for the minimum time necessary will be used to prevent
severe distress, injury, or damage
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staff will be able to show that the intervention used was in keeping with the incident
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every effort will be made to secure the presence of other staff, and these staff may act
as assistants and/or witnesses
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as soon as it is safe, the Restrictive Physical Intervention will be relaxed to allow the
child to regain self-control
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a distinction will be maintained between the use of a one-off intervention which is
appropriate to a particular circumstance, and the using of it repeatedly as a regular
feature of the setting
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escalation will be avoided at all costs, especially if it would make the overall situation
more destructive and unmanageable
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the age, understanding, and competence of the individual child will always be taken
into account
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in developing Individual Education/Behaviour Plans, consideration will be given to
approaches appropriate to each child’s circumstance
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procedures are in place, through the pastoral system of the setting, for supporting and
debriefing pupils and staff after every incident of Restrictive Physical Intervention, as it
is essential to safeguard the emotional well-being of all involved at these times.
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF INTERVENTION
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There are occasions when staff will have cause to have physical contact with children
for a variety of reasons, for example:
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to comfort a child in distress (so long as this is appropriate to their age);
to gently direct a child;
in an emergency to avert danger to the child or children;
in rare circumstances, when Restrictive Physical Intervention is warranted.
In all situations where physical contact between staff and children takes place, staff
must consider the following:
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the child’s age and level of understanding;
the child’s individual characteristics and history;
the location where the contact takes place (it should not take place in private
without others present unless there is not other alternative).
Physical contact is never made as a punishment, or to inflict pain. All forms of
corporal punishment are prohibited. Physical contact will not be made with
the participants neck, breasts, abdomen, genital area, other sensitive body
parts, or to put pressure on joints. It will not become a habit between a
member of staff and a particular child. [Should a child appear to enjoy physical
contact this must not be sought via Restrictive Physical Intervention.]
6.
DEVELOPING A POSITIVE HANDLING PLAN
If a child is identified for whom it is felt that Restrictive Physical Intervention is likely, then a
Positive Handling Plan will be completed. This Plan will help the child and staff to avoid
difficult situations through understanding the factors that influence the behaviour and
identifying the early warning signs that indicate foreseeable behaviours that may be
developing. The plan will include :
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involving parents/carers/social care and child to ensure they are clear about
what specific action the school may take, when and why
a risk assessment to ensure staff and others act reasonably, consider the risks,
and learn from what happens
managing the child, strategies to de-escalate a conflict, and stating at which
point a Restrictive Physical Intervention is to be used
identifying key staff who know exactly what is expected. It is best that these
staff are well known to the child
ensuring a system to summon additional support
identifying training needs
[Inaura may also need to take medical advice about the safest way to hold a child with
specific medical needs.]
Please refer to the Appendix for a Physical Handling Plan Pro-forma
7.
GUIDANCE AND TRAINING FOR STAFF
Guidance and training is essential in this area. We need to adopt the best possible practice.
In Inaura this is arranged at a number of levels including :
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awareness for Trustees, staff and parents
relational and non coher for all staff
managing conflict in challenging situations - all staff
specific training on Restrictive Physical Intervention techniques - all staff
COMPLAINTS
It is intended that by adopting this policy and keeping parents and trustees informed we can
avoid the need for complaints. All disputes which arise about the use of force by a member
of staff will be dealt with according to Child Protection and Safeguarding policies.
Inaura School Positive Handling Plan
Positive handling plan for assessing and managing foreseeable risks for children who are likely to
need Restrictive Physical Intervention
Settings:
Name of Child:
………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………
Group:
………………………………………………………
Staff member(s):
………………………………………………………
Name of parents/Carers:……………………………………………………
Name of Support Service
Member/s:
Identification of Risk
Describe the foreseeable risk
(ie what specific behaviours
have occurred)
Is the risk potential or actual?
(ie has this happened before)
List who is affected by the risk
Assessment of Risk
In which situations does the
risk occur?
How likely it is that the risk will
arise? (ie how often has it
happened before)
If the risk arises, who is likely to
be injured or hurt?
………………………………………………………
What kinds of injuries or harm
are likely to occur?
How serious are the adverse
outcomes?
Assessment completed by:
….……………………………..
Signature: ……………………………………..
Date: .………………………….……..
Agreed Positive Handling Plan and Setting Risk Management Strategy
Focus of Measures
Measures to be employed
Level of risk
Proactive interventions to
prevent risks
Early interventions to manage
risks
Reactive interventions to
respond to adverse outcomes
Agreed by:
Date:
………………………………………………..
(Parent/carer)
…………………………………………
………………………………………………..
(Child - if appropriate)
…………………………………………….…
(Supervisor/Manager)
…………………………………………….…
(Staff member)
…………………………………………….…
(Support Service Member/s)
…………………………………………….…
Communication of Positive Handling Plan and Setting Risk Management Strategy
Plans and strategies shared with:
Communication Method
Date Actioned
Staff Training Issues
Identified training
needs
Training provided to meet needs
Date training
completed
Evaluation of Positive Handling Plan and Setting Risk Management Strategy
Measures set out
Effectiveness in supporting the
child
Impact on risk
Proactive interventions to
prevent risks
Early interventions to manage
risks
Reactive interventions to
respond to adverse outcomes
ACTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Plans and strategies evaluated by:
Title:
…………………………………………… ………………………………………………
Date:
………………………………………………